Following consideration of the written evidence, the Committee conducted a wide- ranging programme of external engagement involving:
Representatives from the Deep End GP group;
Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament who delivered a session at its sitting in October 2019 on this inquiry and the issues raised by it;
Teachers, Pupil Support Assistants, Educational Psychologists and education officials during an engagement session at the Policy Hub Conference: The 2019 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Scotland's Schools;
Young people, in a focus group facilitated by Barnardo’s Scotland;
Guidance teachers, pastoral care teachers and wellbeing teachers;
School nurses;
Teachers, local authority officials and third sector practitioners working with Scottish Borders Council;
Senior school pupils from three secondary schools in the Scottish Borders who have been trained to be Mental Health Ambassadors; and
Parents and Carers, in a focus group facilitated by Parent Network Scotland.